Overseas players in County Championship

Was just reading an article about the drop off in quality in County cricket in England and how the quality of the overseas player was generally much higher due to the fact the international schedules were not as demanding and the T20 competitions that coincide with the English season, and reward the better players in this format so handsomely, were not around. Throw in the fact that the regulations have tightened when trying to sign players on the 'Kolpak' ruling (which has benefitted in some areas) and the standard will inevitably suffer.

Of course on the plus side is the younger players getting more of an opportunity and exposure in first-class and LO cricket. So was just wondering what people's take is on this year's crop of overseas signings so far, focusing mainly on the players available for the County Championship games. There have been 11 confirmed overseas players so far, as follows -

It seems a fairly even split. There are the experienced players that will offer the club more than just their performances on the field. The likes of Chanderpaul, Sarwan, Rudolph, Klinger, Smith and Patel who you would all say probably have their best days behind them but can add so much to a club and their younger players coming through and even the experienced players that are still willing and determined to learn and develop.

The other group are players that may be peaking and still have international and Test aspirations. Abbott, Bird and Siddle all hope to force their way back into their Test teams, with Siddle only very recently losing his spot. Would imagine his workload will be very closely monitored by CA and Darren Lehmann. Petersen and Williamson both vital part of their Test sides and could be permanent fixtures in Test cricket for a good few years yet.

So while the older days threw up world class performers such as the Richards, Garners, Marshalls, Akrams, Waqars, etc, etc, it is highly unlikely national boards will sanction their key players to compete in an entire domestic season anymore. Is this a decent batch of overseas players or are the supporters of the counties these days still being short-changed ?

I think it is better than we have seen in the recent past, I was starting to think that it had reached the stage where it was really not worth the bother getting an overseas player given that they hardly ever seemed to player more than a few games.

The time of the great players coming to play county cricket has clearly gone but that list is not a bad one. I still think county cricket is of great value to someone like Kane Williamson and is that sort of player that we should be looking to attract.

I think it is better than we have seen in the recent past, I was starting to think that it had reached the stage where it was really not worth the bother getting an overseas player given that they hardly ever seemed to player more than a few games.

The time of the great players coming to play county cricket has clearly gone but that list is not a bad one. I still think county cricket is of great value to someone like Kane Williamson and is that sort of player that we should be looking to attract.

I absolutely agree that County cricket is an excellent stepping stone in the continued development of players from overseas hoping to enhance their game by playing plenty of decent cricket in foreign conditions. I thought it was an excellent move for Williamson when he came over originally for Gloucester, and likewise for Usman Khawaja when he shared the overseas spot at Derby with another player that I'm sure must have gained from the experience in Martin Guptill. These type of players you'd expect are hungry to learn and push their own cases for international selection with outstanding performances and so may prove excellent signings for the counties, even if they are not world renowned names (though Kane Williamson is going that way).

I do still firmly believe there is a place in our first-class games for those who have given up hope of Test cricket but have a stellar record at the highest level behind them. Shiv Chanderpaul can be relied upon for not only consistent performances week in, week out, but will surely be a massive presence at a club whose younger players will get so much out of just talking to him and watching how he prepares and goes about his business.

Yeah I don't disagree with that at all, what we don't want is people just coming in for a few weeks and then leaving again, that does nothing for anyone.

While the short-term deals can be beneficial for both the county and the player, it's not something I like seeing either. The disruption could surely be a hindrance to a team and I would certainly prefer a player to sign a season-long deal wherever possible.

I think they really need to look at relaxing the regulations a bit, particularly the government-imposed visa regulations preventing players who haven't played international cricket recently from participating as overseas players. The amount of cricket played in the county season is a strength of the English system but it does mean few players can actually make it through the season without suffering injury or burn-out, and this problem is exasperated by the large number of teams. Each team having a couple of experienced or talented players from overseas who are either looking to make a career during their winter or develop the game really helps the standard of the competition and nullifies the problem created by having just a few too many teams for a perfect development system. Not allowing players like McDonald and Copeland to play ahead of the worst two journeymen just hurts the game.

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Originally Posted by Jeffrey Tucker

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I think they really need to look at relaxing the regulations a bit, particularly the government-imposed visa regulations preventing players who haven't played international cricket recently from participating as overseas players. The amount of cricket played in the county season is a strength of the English system but it does mean few players can actually make it through the season without suffering injury or burn-out, and this problem is exasperated by the large number of teams. Each team having a couple of experienced or talented players from overseas who are either looking to make a career during their winter or develop the game really helps the standard of the competition and nullifies the problem created by having just a few too many teams for a perfect development system. Not allowing players like McDonald and Copeland to play ahead of the worst two journeymen just hurts the game.

Yes penalising players that haven't played international cricket recently is a far too strict criteria to not allow quality players come to England. Just as football teams come under scrutiny for resting players for certain games, especially clubs involved in Europe, so must county sides balance the workload of individuals and allow sufficient rest to ensure they are competing at near maximum capability as frequently as is possible. This in itself will help improve standards, but of course counties budgets the way they are struggle to allow a club to afford a large enough squad of the necessary quality to rotate on a regular basis. I do agree that there should be a relaxation in the qualification to bring players of a certain quality over and help make the competition stronger again.

I think they really need to look at relaxing the regulations a bit, particularly the government-imposed visa regulations preventing players who haven't played international cricket recently from participating as overseas players. The amount of cricket played in the county season is a strength of the English system but it does mean few players can actually make it through the season without suffering injury or burn-out, and this problem is exasperated by the large number of teams. Each team having a couple of experienced or talented players from overseas who are either looking to make a career during their winter or develop the game really helps the standard of the competition and nullifies the problem created by having just a few too many teams for a perfect development system. Not allowing players like McDonald and Copeland to play ahead of the worst two journeymen just hurts the game.

The thing is, the international stipulation is really the only semi-objective measure of quality that there is. If you want a system that's stricter than "any **** can come and play" then how else do you police it other than saying "must be a recent international?"

I suppose, particularly with someone like Copeland who was excellent for Northants last season, they could look at bringing in a regulation that allows players who lose their international status to remain eligible, but then again you'd need to define it by some sort of arbitrary performance criteria.

The thing is, the international stipulation is really the only semi-objective measure of quality that there is. If you want a system that's stricter than "any **** can come and play" then how else do you police it other than saying "must be a recent international?"

I suppose, particularly with someone like Copeland who was excellent for Northants last season, they could look at bringing in a regulation that allows players who lose their international status to remain eligible, but then again you'd need to define it by some sort of arbitrary performance criteria.

There's a limit on one overseas player per team already; as far as I'm concerned teams should be allowed to select whoever they like to fill that role.

Was just reading an article about the drop off in quality in County cricket in England and how the quality of the overseas player was generally much higher due to the fact the international schedules were not as demanding and the T20 competitions that coincide with the English season, and reward the better players in this format so handsomely, were not around. Throw in the fact that the regulations have tightened when trying to sign players on the 'Kolpak' ruling (which has benefitted in some areas) and the standard will inevitably suffer.

Of course on the plus side is the younger players getting more of an opportunity and exposure in first-class and LO cricket. So was just wondering what people's take is on this year's crop of overseas signings so far, focusing mainly on the players available for the County Championship games. There have been 11 confirmed overseas players so far, as follows -

It seems a fairly even split. There are the experienced players that will offer the club more than just their performances on the field. The likes of Chanderpaul, Sarwan, Rudolph, Klinger, Smith and Patel who you would all say probably have their best days behind them but can add so much to a club and their younger players coming through and even the experienced players that are still willing and determined to learn and develop.

The other group are players that may be peaking and still have international and Test aspirations. Abbott, Bird and Siddle all hope to force their way back into their Test teams, with Siddle only very recently losing his spot. Would imagine his workload will be very closely monitored by CA and Darren Lehmann. Petersen and Williamson both vital part of their Test sides and could be permanent fixtures in Test cricket for a good few years yet.

So while the older days threw up world class performers such as the Richards, Garners, Marshalls, Akrams, Waqars, etc, etc, it is highly unlikely national boards will sanction their key players to compete in an entire domestic season anymore. Is this a decent batch of overseas players or are the supporters of the counties these days still being short-changed ?

Woodster, I reckon we will see more and more relationships formed now for overseas players. Chanderpaul, Klinger, Sarwan, Petersen, Smith, Patel, Williamson all are returning to the counties they were with last season.

If it is not personal relationships, it may be international. Like Bird in for Copeland and something like Elgar coming on for Petersen last season.

Personally, I would prefer South Africans to choose playing county cricket over IPL every day of the week. Play proper cricket and learn more about their games. So chuffed for Kyle Abbott that he is getting this opportunity for example.

Don't take this the wrong way - it isn't a dig at anyone (just a genuine question), but how many South African Kolpaks are playing this year?

Not sure how many of these are Kolpak but I actually don't think there are that many from my understanding. Many players have SA or African connections but have European passports though a parent or grandparent and are considered English or European. But I do think there are a few Aussies and Kiwis like Jaques, H. Marshall, Magoffin, Hogan etc What about Bollinger, is he playing as an overseas ?

* Neil Mac needs rest so not returning to Hampshire. I'm sure most Hampshire fans loved him at their club. A real team man and great for young players to sponge off.
* Quite interesting that Kent has not a single Saffer connection. In the past they were riddled with them.

The thing is, the international stipulation is really the only semi-objective measure of quality that there is. If you want a system that's stricter than "any **** can come and play" then how else do you police it other than saying "must be a recent international?"